The Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) moved to court seeking 15 days to complete investigations into alleged terrorism-related activities against a Turkish national.
The suspect, Ahmet Mustafa Gungor, who is a teacher was arrested in the early hours of December 21, 2025, at the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) Nairobi Terminus shortly after arriving from Mombasa.
According to court documents, ATPU officers acted on reasonable suspicion that the suspect was involved in terrorism-related activities with both local and transnational dimensions.
Following the arrest at about 12.05 a.m., the suspect was escorted to ATPU Headquarters in Nairobi, where he was formally booked under Occurrence Book number 02/21/12/2025.
However, Amnesty International – Kenya has argued that the accused is a refugee seeking safety in Kenya.
“Teacher, father of two, (who) is a refugee protected by international law and has been a 15 year resident. He is not a flight risk and has committed no crime,” Amnesty said.
Investigators told the court that the arrest was triggered by a Mutual Legal Assistance request from the Government of the Republic of Türkiye, which is pursuing terrorism-related charges against Gungor before the Kahramanmaras Second High Court. The request sought Kenya’s cooperation in recording statements and gathering evidential material linked to the case.
Upon receipt of the request, Kenyan authorities commenced parallel investigations to establish the suspect’s activities, associations and possible involvement in terrorism-related offences within the Republic of Kenya, citing the seriousness and cross-border nature of the allegations and their potential national security implications.
At the time of arrest, police say they recovered several items from the suspect, including an iPhone 15 mobile phone fitted with a Safaricom SIM card, a Kenyan Urban Refugee Identity Card and proof of refugee registration.
ATPU informed the court that the electronic devices are believed to contain crucial evidence relating to terrorist recruitment, financing, facilitation and propaganda, and therefore require specialised forensic examination.
The DCI also sought court orders authorising ATPU officers to search the suspect’s residence in Kileleshwa, open and access electronic storage devices and security safes, and seize any documents or items relevant to the ongoing investigations.
In opposing the suspect’s release on bail, investigators described him as a flight risk, noting that he is a foreign national with transnational connections and lacks permanent ties within Kenya.
They further argued that the seriousness of the offences under investigation and the severe penalties prescribed by law increase the likelihood that the suspect may abscond if released.
Police also warned that releasing the suspect at this stage could jeopardise investigations, citing a high risk of interference with witnesses, intimidation of potential witnesses, compromise of confidential informants, and destruction or manipulation of digital evidence through encrypted communication platforms.
According to ATPU, investigations conducted so far have established that the suspect maintains operational links and communication channels with extremist networks, some of whose members are still at large.
The offences under investigation include financing of terrorism, recruitment of persons into terrorist organisations, membership in a terrorist group and collection of information for terrorist purposes, all contrary to the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2012.
The State told the court that the alleged offences pose a serious and continuing threat to national security, public safety and public order, and justified the request for additional time to complete investigations without interference.
Principal Magistrate Gideon Kiage has deferred the ruling on the application to hold Mustafa Güngör until December 30 2025.
His family, friends and lawyers and representatives argued in court that the extended pre-trial detention is excessive. Mustafa is a recognized refugee resident in Kenya for over 15 years without a criminal record.
Court further ruled the father of two, Mustafa Güngör remain in custody, with family visitation and be produced in court for a ruling on December 30, 2025.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
